Couple nabbed in Maguindano over drug, illegal gun raps

Authorities arrested a couple who are suspected pushers during a buy-bust operation in Maguindanao, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Friday.

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac, Jr. said combined operatives of PDEA, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army nabbed Musarip Dalgan, 45, farmer; and his wife, Muslima, 42, a sari-sari store owner; both of Brgy.Panadtaban, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao.

Reports said that on Mar. 26, around 8 a.m., government operatives apprehended the couple after they sold a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, to a poseur-buyer in their neighborhood.

Aside from the three more sachets of shabu weighing approximately 5.8 grams, operatives also confiscated from the couple seven M16A1 rifles and homemade rifles, two M79 grenade launchers, magazine assemblies for M16A1 rifles, a grenade, a pistol and a shotgun.   

However, another suspect, Moher Dalgan, managed to escape during the sting operation.

"Rajah Buayan is known to be the haven of lawless elements and private armed groups in the autonomous region. The collaboration of forces in the operation is necessary in the face of any form of hostilities," Cacdac said.

The Dalgans are now detained at PDEA ARMM jail facility, facing drug charges and illegal gun raps.